Police have made more than 20 arrests after climate activists descended on two motorway service station forecourts in what protesters described as a “significant escalation”.

Just Stop Oil said 35 supporters smashed display glass and covered it in spray paint after blocking the forecourts at Cobham services in Surrey and Clacket Lane services in Kent at 7am, preventing motorists from entering.

They then glued themselves to the pumps, signs and the top of a lorry.

Surrey Police said more than 20 people have been arrested.

At least eight were held on suspicion of criminal damage and aggravated trespass.

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One of the activists, Nathan McGovern, said: “I refuse to stand by and watch as heatwaves and drought murder people across the global south and families in the UK are forced to choose between eating and heating.

“If politicians and bureaucrats refuse to act then it falls on ordinary people to do what they will not.”

Just Stop Oil, who started protests at the beginning of April, have carried out a series of blockades of fuel terminals in southeast England and the Midlands as well as targeting several high-profile football matches.

More than 1,000 arrests have been made.

The group say they will “continue the disruption until the government makes a statement to end new oil and gas projects.”

Read more:
Just Stop Oil protesters defend disrupting roads and targeting terminals
Extinction Rebellion: Activists block central London roads in protest over fossil fuels

Justice Secretary Dominic Raab, the MP for Esher and Walton, tweeted: “Thank you to the police for responding to this outrageous behaviour in Cobham.

“We will not allow militants to sabotage people’s lives.

“That’s why government reinforced the law to allow the police to take the necessary action – which Labour and Lib Dems opposed.”

The group’s tactics are similar to that of Insulate Britain, who have repeatedly blocked M25 junctions.

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